Resources to Support the Recreation Economy
Recreation Economy at USDA: Economic Development Resources for Rural Communities
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA’s Forest Service, Rural Development, and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture developed this resource guide for rural communities to identify resources that develop the recreation economy.
Sign Up to Receive Updates and Resources to Support the Recreation Economy
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sign up to receive updates and resources from USDA Rural Development that can be used to support recreation economies in rural America.
Climate-Forward Efficiency Initiative
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
This initiative will research how utilities can shift their practices to maximize greenhouse gas reductions from their portfolios.
Scenic Route Guide
Smart Growth America and Transportation for America
Smart Growth America and Transportation for America have unveiled the newly updated guide for transportation planners, public works agencies and local elected officials who want to collaborate with artists. The guide summarizes eight common ways artists contribute to transportation and infrastructure projects with an equity lens to allow for more genuine public engagement.
Delta Health Care Services Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is making funds available to support activities such as health education programs, health care services, job training in health care fields, and developing or expanding public health facilities. Application Deadline: July 19, 2021
Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development accepting applications for eligible entities to provide planning, training and technical assistance to rural communities to foster placemaking activities. Application Deadline: July 26, 2021
Funding Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure
Revolving Funds Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to create revolving loan funds to build and improve water and wastewater disposal systems in rural areas. Application Deadline: July 16
Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for grants from qualified organizations to create loans to help rural homeowners finance household water systems. Application Deadline: July 19, 2021
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This program accelerates investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support a wide range of projects in both large and small communities. Letter of Interest Deadline: July 23, 2021
Broadband Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Telecommunications and Information Administration funding to build broadband infrastructure. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: Aug. 17, 2021
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grant opportunities for eligible communities to prepare for or recover from an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Application Deadline: Ongoing
Funding Opportunities for
Community and Economic Development
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funding that provides loans and grants to microenterprise development organizations to help them establish revolving loan programs to assist microenterprises, businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees. Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
Intermediary Relending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funding that provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local lenders or “intermediaries” that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities. Application Deadline: June 30, 2021
Community Navigator Pilot Program
Small Business Administration
SBA launched this $100 million competitive grant program to strengthen outreach to businesses in underserved communities enacted through the American Rescue Plan. Application Deadline: July 12, 2021
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development unveiled a new grant program to help rural communities create good-paying jobs and support new business opportunities in high-growth fields. Application Deadline: Aug. 2, 2021
Rural Cooperative Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to help start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America.
Application Deadline: Aug.10, 2021
